Yangsan City in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, recorded a historic high temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius amid a severe heatwave covering the country, breaking the hottest temperature record in 122 years since weather records began on the Korean Peninsula in 1904. This is the first time a single area has experienced temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius for five consecutive days.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) reported that South Korea is facing extreme heat due to a continuous widespread heatwave. On 2 August, Yangsan City in South Gyeongsang Province, located about 310 kilometers southeast of Seoul, recorded a new highest temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius at 13:26 local time.
This temperature rise marks the second consecutive day of breaking the country's highest temperature record, following Yangsan's previous record of 41.6 degrees Celsius set on 1 August.
The 42.5 degrees Celsius reading is the highest since South Korea expanded its nationwide weather station network in 1973. It is also the highest temperature recorded in the Yeongnam region and sets a new national record in 122 years since long-term weather observations began on the Korean Peninsula in 1904.
Besides breaking the temperature record, Yangsan has experienced temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for five consecutive days since 29 July, marking a first in the history of the country's main weather observation stations.
The meteorological report states that accumulated heat has caused the daily time when temperatures surpass 40 degrees Celsius in Yangsan to occur progressively earlier each day. On 29 July, temperatures exceeded 40°C at 15:26; on 30 July at 13:10; on 31 July at 12:36; on 1 August at 12:14; and on 2 August, temperatures rose above 40°C before noon (between 11:47 and 11:56), reaching 42.2°C at 13:19 and peaking at 42.5°C at 13:26.
The phenomenon of temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius for five consecutive days in Yangsan is only the second such occurrence in South Korea's history with automated weather monitoring systems, following Yeongcheon City in South Gyeongsang Province, which recorded this in August 2018.
The meteorological agency warned that the hottest part of the day typically occurs between 14:00 and 16:00, which may push daily maximum temperatures even higher.
The heatwave is not limited to Yangsan; on the same day, several areas across South Korea, including Gimhae City, Gwangyang County, and the Gangseo, Buk-gu, and Geumjeong districts of Busan, also recorded daytime temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Officials have urged the public to avoid outdoor activities and remain vigilant against heatstroke.
Source: AFP /Yonhap/KBS/news.nate.com